My question is I have a brand new 20 year old FM Futaba Gold 6 channel FPT6FG/K with 7 channel receiver. I built a sig skybolt and was ready for final color, and covering crack "bad". was very discourage. put everything up. built a house and had a family. that is why it is brand new. I also aquired a 15 year old FM Futaba Conquest radio FPT6NFK 6 channel for my Dad. that wasn't used. my question is can I still find batteries. where?. I don't think I should trust them. they do look good no leakage. or should I bit the bullet. and buy new. I receive a Nexstar for Christmas. and I have been slowly buiding a sig Ryan. I still have the Skybolt and the (1/4 scale cub from Dad). any advice would help. Thanks, Chris.

Batteries for just about anything are readily available from most battery suppliers. Just check the ads in the magazines and do some calling around. The bigger issue for you to address is the change to narrow band design frequencies used today. Is your equipment compatible? If not, your plane could be interfered with and your transmitter could cause trouble for someone else. I recommend a call to Futaba service if there is any doubt?

Multiflyer

I have two perfectly good radios of the same vintage sitting in my shop. When I got back into flying close to 2 years ago I went through the same issues. I found that I could narrow band them, but after learning the cost of narrow banding and new batteries I decided it wasn't worth it. You can buy a brand new 6 channel computer radio with all new batteries, and lots of great features, for not much more than those 15-20 year old radios cost when new.

The quick and easy answer is YES, replace the batteries. If they are that old I will bet just about anything that their dead. Batteries are too cheap to risk a plane on them.

But one thing that does concern me is the age of the radio. If it's 20 years old there is a good chance that it's illegal to use now. All radios these days have to be Narrow Band. I think this went into effect in the mid-90's, and back then it was called "Gold Sticker" because all radios that complied with the law had a gold sticker on them so show they were narrow band. If your radio is 20 years old there's a pretty good chance that it's not narrow band and is going to be illegal to use here in the US. Of course the radio still works, but you won't be able to fly at any AMA fields with that radio.

Something to think about

Ken

Thanks for the good imput, I didn't think of the narrow band, wasn't sure when it stared. It is a shame, that they never was used.
but a new computer radio would be nice. hopefully they won't change something else. Thanks Chris.

Also remember if the radio is converted to "narrow band," this applies to the Tx only. Your Rx will still be wide band design. Also flight pack connectors are probably of an older style, and won't work with new servos or switches. For little more than the cost of converting Tx and replacing Rx, you get the benefit of new equipment with a brand new manufacturer's warranty. To most it's better to just buy new. The stuff is relatively cheep these days, and pretty much all good stuff.

Multiflyer

New is sounding cheaper all the time, will check with the local club. Flying Forks. for instructor and compatable Radio, for buddy link.
before I order anything. I think a 6 channel will be enough. would like to be able to input several planes. looks like $175 to $250 would buy nice Radio, I do like the Airtronics with the larger LCD screen. for now will stay with the 60 size planes. servo wise.
thanks again for the great input.
Chris.

Before you decide, go take a look at the Polks. They are in your price range and offer lots of features. I don't have one... yet.

Same thing here, YET!!! I'm pretty sure there will be one in my shop by the time summer flying season gets here. They sure do look sweet. I'm going to wait and see if there is any bad press that comes from them, but I doubt there will be much of it. Looks like a nice little package.

Ken

Me too, if I can thin my stock of unused stuff a bit. My latest plane is ready to fly, but it meant pulling a receiver out of another plane and wiping out the programming. It seems memory for 6 planes just isn't enough.

Polks I haven't heard of that brand, who sells them. Chris.

Polks!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Here's the URL: http://www.polkshobby.com/index1.html

[>:]





Dang if there isn't one in every crowd!!!!!

Ken

I took all the advice, look at alot of other threads and, made a purchase, ended up with a JR XP6102 FM, Aircraft?Helicopter,
R700 receiver and 4 537 servos with a 1100mAh Rx battery. my son look at it and said it look like I upgraded a little.
need a couple other small items in comparison, and I'm set. Chris.

You definitely upgraded but will be happy with it I'm sure. "New" has such a nice feel to it.

the polks radios were damn uggly... []

u going to stare at the transmitter, or the plane?

Yes new is real nice, I felt a little guilty telling the wife I bought something else she sounded a little concern, I think she thought I bought another car. nope just a radio. she was OK with that, wait untill she gets the bill. charge the receiver and rx battery last night they said 20 to 24 hours. installed servo's in nexstar. tonight hook up control rods. and install rx and battery. for some strange reason mounting ply didn't quit fit needed tweek. every things in. and works. had to reverse throttle servo. a couple lose ends. and I'll need to find instructer, who likes to fly in the cold. we have a couple RC fleemarkets next month , one in Colombus Ohio. see if I can find some buys. Chris.

Chris, you're hooked! Welcome to the addiction.

Nobody "LIKES" to fly in the cold. Some are just more willing to do that than sit on the ground.

Check www.modelaircraft.org for local clubs too if you want.

Both.

I stop today at a place call Slaters, hardware, They have a great RD area alot of planes hanging from the ceiling, most of them built by Jim Slater. I talk to Joe (salesman), also member of Flying Forks. they have meeting sunday. looking forward to joining. and yes I do think I'm hook. Chris.